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Here’s how to use HD Texture Pack on RetroArch for iPhone and iPad

the legend of zelda remastered nes jilaxzone.com

The Legend of Zelda: Remastered for NES

While you can play with the original graphics and sound, applying HD Texture Pack to certain games, will bring you to a totally different level and game. Try them out!

Since now RetroArch is available officially on the Apple App Store (in case you haven’t download it, here’s RetroArch link to Apple App Store: RetroArch on Apple App Store), I believe now it’s the time for me to share this to everyone – for everyone’s benefit – how you can play retro games using RetroArch on your iPhone or iPad with HD Texture Pack to get the upgraded graphics or sound or both. The steps involved are pretty simple to do, they can be done within 5 minutes. So here they are.

RetroArch emulator: How to, Setup, configure, tips and tricks and more. Image courtesy of RetroArch.

How to install HD Texture Pack on RetroArch for iOS and iPadOS

Follow these simple steps to play your retro games like never before!

Tested on RetroArch for iOS version 1.18.0, however the same steps should works on different version too.

The HD Texture Pack used on this article belongs to The Legend of Zelda for NES with Messen as the core used.
If you are using different games and console, the steps should be pretty much similar – just ensure two things:
1) The game ROM is the compatible/correct one and
2) The emulator/core you choose is supporting HD Texture Pack.

1) Download the HD Texture Pack into your iPhone.

On this article, I’m using a NES game – The Legend of Zelda. Yes it’s the original Zelda game, in case you are wondering. I choose Zelda here as the sample to show you how you can apply and use HD Texture Pack on RetroArch for iOS. For your case, you can freely choose some different games that you like on different consoles, however, just ensure that both the game ROM is the compatible/correct one and the emulator/core you choose is supporting HD Texture Pack.

Here’s the HD Texture Pack I’m using for The Legend of Zelda NES game, it can be downloaded from this link here: Here’s how to run & play The Legend of Zelda: Remastered for NES with Nintendo Switch-like graphics & sound at JILAXZONE. Using Safari, download the one for “For Higher Spec Computer”.

In case you don’t know where Safari put the downloaded file, configure it here: Configure Safari default download folder for iOS at JILAXZONE.

Here’s the original Legend of Zelda after HD Texture Pack is applied.


2) Open Files app.

Navigate to your Download folder and look for the HD Texture Pack you were downloading.

iPhone Files app

Once found, move the HD Texture Pack (typically in form of zip file) into RetroArch folder, under RetroArch > RetroArch > system > HdPacks.
In case you can’t find HdPacks folder, do create “HdPacks” folder.


3) Unzip the HD Texture Pack.

Inside Files app, go to RetroArch > RetroArch > system > HdPacks.
Unzip the HD Texture pack on this folder.


4) Rename the HD Texture Pack folder into the game name.

After unzipping, the HD Texture Pack folder typically won’t match with your game ROM name. You have to make sure the HD Texture Pack folder name is the same as the game ROM name. Below are the illustrations on what you need to do.

If your game ROM name is called “The Legend of Zelda.nes”, then you should rename the HD Texture Pack folder into “The Legend of Zelda”.
If your game ROM name is called “Mario64[!].n64”, then you should rename the HD Texture Pack folder into “Mario64[!]”.

Got it?


5) Start RetroArch app

Back to your iPhone Home screen, tap on RetroArch to start it up.


6) Choose the Games and Correct Emulator / Core.

Choose the game you want to play with HD Texture Pack.
Then choose the correct Emulator / Core.
On my NES Legend of Zelda game, I choose “Nintendo – NES / Famicom (Mesen)” as the core.

Playing Retro Games with RetroArch and HD Texture Packs!

If you are doing all the steps above correctly, your game now should boot with the HD Texture Pack. Enjoy!


Play better with Controller!

Playing retro games is always better with controller!

While you can always use the touchscreen of the iPhone to play the games, but for greater fun and enjoyment, I would recommend you to play the games with the Controller using physical buttons – so the experience is (almost) the same as the original. Just in case you need recommendation, here they are. I am personally using Nimbus and DualShock 4 to play the games.

Game controllers – which side are you on? Image courtesy of Final Weapon (https://finalweapon.net)

All controllers’ images shown below are trademarks of the respective owners.

8BitDo M30

The Bluetooth controller that looks like the 6-button SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive controller.

Get 8BitDo M30 on Amazon
Get 8BitDo M30 on AliExpress
Get 8BitDo M30 Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress
Backbone Controller 2nd Generation with USB-C / Lightning
The controller that uses USB-C (or lightning) to connect. Very handy and portable to carry around.

Get Backbone Controller on Amazon
Razer Kishi
Best telescopic controller for iPhone. It comes with Lightning connector for passthrough charging as well as better low-latency gaming.

In case you need it:
Get Razer Kishi for Android on Amazon
Get Razer Kishi for Android on AliExpress

Get Razer Kishi for iPhone on Amazon
Get Razer Kishi for iPhone on AliExpress
SteelSeries Nimbus+

For playing iOS games. I like it because it’s MFi certified – Made for iOS, any controller-compatible games will for sure run with this controller.

In case you need it:
Get SteelSeries Nimbus+ on Amazon
Get Nimbus iPhone clipper on AliExpress.
Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller
Great controller from Xbox compatible with your Xbox (of course!) as well as Windows PC, Android and iOS, recommended for those with big hands.

Read here for pairing Xbox Series X|S Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE.

In case you need it:
Get Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller on Amazon
Get Xbox Series X|S Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress

Get Xbox One Controller on Amazon
Get Xbox One Controller on AliExpress
Get Xbox One Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress
PS5 DualSense
Awesome controller from PlayStation compatible with your PS5 (of course!) as well as Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands.

Read here for pairing PS5 DualSense Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE.

In case you need it:
Get PS5 DualSense on Amazon
Get PS5 DualSense Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress
PS4 DualShock
While DualSense is the latest PlayStation controller but doesn’t mean DualShock 4 is bad. DualShock 4 is indeed one of the cheaper alternatives to get into gaming on your Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands.

In case you need it:
Get PS4 DualShock 4 on Amazon
Get PS4 DualShock 4 on AliExpress
Get PS4 DualShock 4 Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress

Here’s my own setup:

This is my retro gaming setup. What about you? (In picture: iPhone paired with DualShock 4 controller)

Note: If you buy anything from Amazon / AliExpress using links above, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost charged on your purchases.


Bring it all together

When the games are applied/patched with HD Texture Packs, they become like a new game, look modern and look more playable. In case you encountered any difficulties and/or have queries, don’t hesitate to put your queries or thoughts on the comment section down below. I’ll be happy to assist.


Other retro game emulators available on iPhone and iPad (and iPod Touch!)

While nowadays you can easily find emulators on the Apple App Store, however there are still a few missing. Check out these list of retro game emulators that are available on the iOS and iPadOS platform, in which none of them requires jailbreak. Head out to their individual links for detail step by step on how to get them installed on your device.

Do you know that you can play PS2 games now on iPhone? Check the installation guide below. Image courtesy of Evan Amos.
EmulatorDescriptionInstallation guide Link
CEMUNintendo Wii U emulator, workaround for iOSCEMU workaround for iOS at JILAXZONE
DeltaMultiple Nintendo console emulator for iOSDelta for iOS at JILAXZONE
Delta iPacMultiple SEGA Genesis & Nintendo console emulator for iOSDelta iPac for iOS at JILAXZONE
DolphiniOSNintendo Wii & Nintendo GameCube emulator for iOSDolphiniOS for iOS at JILAXZONE
EmuThreeDS(Early) Nintendo 3DS emulator for iOSEmuThreeDS for iOS at JILAXZONE
eNGEPS1 emulator for iOSeNGE for iOS at JILAXZONE
FlycastSEGA Dreamcast emulator for iOSFlycast for iOS at JILAXZONE
iNDSNDS emulator for iOSiNDS for iOS at JILAXZONE
Play!PS2 emulator for iOSPlay! for iOS at JILAXZONE
PPSSPPPSP emulator for iOSPPSSPP for iOS at JILAXZONE
ProvenanceMultiple game console emulator for iOSProvenance for iOS at JILAXZONE
RetroArchMultiple game console emulator for iOSRetroArch for iOS at JILAXZONE
RetroGameBotMultiple game console emulator runs on Safari for iOSRetroGamesBot for iOS at JILAXZONE
YuzuNintendo Switch emulator, workaround for iOSYuzu workaround for iOS at JILAXZONE

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